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The Effects of Racial Segregation on Trust and Volunteering in US Cities

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  • Jonathan T. Rothwell

Abstract

A large body of recent research claims that racial diversity hinders the general trust of others, but these studies rarely consider how racial segregation mediates diversity. This article re-examines the issue by considering how the residential isolation of minorities alters general trust and one manifestation of trust: volunteering in cities. Using data from the US, the results from a regression analysis suggest that metropolitan-level racial segregation decreases trust and volunteering. Diversity has no significant effect. The results are robust to a variety of specifications and assumptions. The use of historical metropolitan and state characteristics improves the fit between segregation and distrust, and political affiliation is explored as a potential link between group distrust and general distrust. High levels of trust have been identified as a source of good governance and economic performance; integration is likely to enhance these attributes regardless of the level of diversity.

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  • Jonathan T. Rothwell, 2012. "The Effects of Racial Segregation on Trust and Volunteering in US Cities," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(10), pages 2109-2136, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:49:y:2012:i:10:p:2109-2136
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098011428180
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Liza G. Steele & Krystal M. Perkins, 2018. "The Effects of Perceived Neighborhood Diversity on Preferences for Redistribution: A Pilot Study," Societies, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-24, September.

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